Not from swapping the screen alone. Although I do have it as I swapped out the new controller , added the touch ECU and coded it in so it is possible.

ok, as I suspected, you need the new head unit with the ECU to get touch functions.

So what do you think? Is touch worth it? I've had a few loaner cars from the dealership that had the touch controller. Aside from zooming in and out of the map (which I still think is easier turning the wheel), and writing characters to look up phonebook (which I still think is easier just toggling with steering wheel buttons), what else is new and awesome with touch function?

ok, as I suspected, you need the new head unit with the ECU to get touch functions.

So what do you think? Is touch worth it? I've had a few loaner cars from the dealership that had the touch controller. Aside from zooming in and out of the map (which I still think is easier turning the wheel), and writing characters to look up phonebook (which I still think is easier just toggling with steering wheel buttons), what else is new and awesome with touch function?

If you have an older car with CIC then you need a new head unit. If you already have NBT like me then you do not.

Not much to gained from touch other than what you've already quoted above but as it was only about £60 for the additional ECU and wiring I thought I might as well do it for completeness.

1. Whether my 2014 M6 (yet to be delivered) has NBT - as of today looking at the navigation screen and comparing it against my CIC screen, it appears so

2. Whether simply adding the NBT touch controller will add touch function without coding - it appears to be "no".

2a. If no, then what else do I need to add the touch function?

3. whether touch is really worth it for the cost of retrofit - my initial take is: "likely no".

1. Mine is a 2014 and has NBT so I’m guessing yours will.
2. No. Coding is required. The iDrive needs to know that touch is enabled so needs to be coded to show the touch options in settings and in the text entry screens.
2a. IDrive Touch controller + Touch ECU + wiring harness (very simply harness that splices the existing cables between touch ECU and controller). These parts are readily available on eBay if you search for them.

3. Upgrading the iDrive controller for looks alone is worth it in my opinion and after that it doesn’t cost much to add touch. I disagree with previous comments regards usability as I find it pretty good but have to agree that I don’t use it often. In my view changing the screen to the newer OLED version is a much better value upgrade and requires no coding either.

1. Mine is a 2014 and has NBT so I’m guessing yours will.
2. No. Coding is required. The iDrive needs to know that touch is enabled so needs to be coded to show the touch options in settings and in the text entry screens.
2a. IDrive Touch controller + Touch ECU + wiring harness (very simply harness that splices the existing cables between touch ECU and controller). These parts are readily available on eBay if you search for them.

3. Upgrading the iDrive controller for looks alone is worth it in my opinion and after that it doesn’t cost much to add touch. I disagree with previous comments regards usability as I find it pretty good but have to agree that I don’t use it often. In my view changing the screen to the newer OLED version is a much better value upgrade and requires no coding either.

Hope that helps

This is a very useful discussion for me. On question 2a, can you confirm you don't need a new center console and that a touch idrive controller will fit into the CIC controller's slot?

Also on #3, so if I simply upgrade the OLED screen and the plastic housing that you discussed earlier in the thread, is there any coding needed? Or it's just plug and play?

thanks..but ehh...not sure I'm willing to spend hundreds on a minor screen update without going through and getting the full touch functionality.

I think I'll wait until the 6er goes out of production and a few used sets (that's not from Europe) come on to the market.

Lol. I’m not trying to sell the idea to you. Do what you like! FYI I got a used screen for £200. Touch controller was £110 and touch ecu and harness was £75. All from eBay. I rarely use touch and many who have it will tell you the same.

Thanks! Since I'm doing the ashtray, I'm now thinking of swapping the idrive controller to the NBT touch version as they're only $150 online. I'm going to think about do the full EVO retrofit later, but do you know if the controller itself will be fully functional on the original NBT software with no coding?